When Scion‘s FR-S debuted out in Los Angeles, a modified black variant by GReddy was also present but wasn’t exactly center stage. This isn’t a huge surprise as GReddy has been a long time partner with Scion, but this might also be revealing a few more projects that are underway through the collaboration.

Scion decided to bring the modified version out to a Cars and Coffee event in Irvine, California, where visitors were treated to hearing the FR-S’s new exhaust note courtesy of GReddy. Given GReddy’s track record with other vehicles and products, a turbo kit is definitely in development right now along with a bolt-on intake and exhaust.

But what’s even more interesting is the possibility that GReddy will be building a drifter for Ken Gushi for the 2012 Formula DRIFT season since RS*R has decided to take a backseat to everything going on. Clearly the FR-S will be a popular tuning platform, let’s see if GReddy can put itself back on the map with it.

Check out the video after the break.

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This year has been a  tough one for Toyota thanks to Mother Nature and her natural disasters. As if the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan wasn’t bad enough, Thailand experienced its worst floods in almost 70 years, disrupting Toyota’s production of their popular Camry and Prius models.

As a result, Toyota has had to cut its full-year profit forecast by 54-percent, dropping their net income 56-percent to $2.3 billion in the 12 months ending on March 31st, 2012. That’s less than half the profit that was originally projected by analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Combine the disasters with the yen’s surge and it’s no surprise that Toyota’s recovery is going to be tough and may take longer than one would expect for the popular Japanese auto manufacturer. It is likely that Toyota will be giving up its three-year crown of world’s largest carmaker to GM for 2011.

Due to the flood, Toyota and Honda both delayed their new projections, while Nissan on the other hand raised its profit forecast thanks to a rise in vehicle sales in China. It’s widely believed that Toyota lost more output than any other automotive manufacturer from Thailand’s record floods, possibly causing 260,000 vehicles to have been lost in production.

Toyota is also in a balancing act with the pricing on their vehicles due to the rising yen. They have even admitted that they have had to raise the prices on some of their vehicles and anticipate a drop in sales as a result.

[Source: Automotive News]

It’s been two years since Toyota first revealed the FT-86 concept, and after numerous leaks, and even more concept teasers, the production version of the most highly anticipated car in years has been revealed. The very first photos of the production model also come with an announcement of the car’s name: the GT 86. Revealed in Euro-spec, the GT 86 will come with a dual exhaust, a rear spoiler, 17-inch wheels and an ’86 piston’ logo on the fenders.

Inside the cabin is a three-gauge cluster with a larger tachometer, with carbon fiber styled trim, an all black roof, red stitching, aluminum pedals and “aviation-style” switches. Also of note is a 365mm steering wheel – the smallest ever fitted to a Toyota.

With a total displacement of 1,998 ccs, the 4-cylinder direct-injection boxer engine produces 197-hp thanks to twin-injectors and a 12.5:1 compression ratio. Full power comes on at 7000 rpm with 151 lb-ft of torque at 6600 rpm. Toyota promises instant throttle response, with steering to match and, “the kind of performance that appeals to those for whom driving is a passion, not a necessity.”

Look for live photos from the car’s official reveal later this week at the Tokyo Motor Show.

GALLERY: Toyota GT 86

Discuss this story at FR-SForum.com

See video of the GT 86 below:

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Promoting a new product through a Facebook app is nothing new, but Toyota added an extra spin to their virtual racing game by building the track’s signage based on your personal Facebook content. Called Social Network Racer, the purpose of the Facebook racing game is to help promote the FR-S Concept, even though the game has no real presence of the vehicle other than some images and text at the starting line.

Each race tracks your time and places you in a ranking system, with the top 20 Social Network Racers shown off on a leaderboard. You can also accumulate points in order to upgrade your ride towards conquering that leaderboard. And if you’re bored of seeing your Facebook content streaming as you zoom by, you can create courses out of your friends’ Facebook pages too. A novel idea, sure – but we’re still a tad confused at the point of it all. But hey, it’s another racing game and time killer on Facebook, hooray!

To start playing the game, click here.

[Source: CNet]

Visit AutoGuide’s Facebook page here

Subaru is building hype ahead of the reveal of its rear-wheel drive sports car next week at the Geneva Auto Show, releasing a new teaser image on a web site (http://www.subaru-global.com/boxersports.html) dedicate to the vehicle.

Along with the photo of the brand’s legendary Boxer engine is a brief outline of what Subaru calls the Boxer Sports Car Architecture, which, “embodied Subaru’s new definition of driving excitement.”

Subaru hints at the cost of the car, claiming it will be more “accessible” while also delivering a driving experience that, “only a Subaru can provide.”

Set to debut in Geneva as the ‘Subaru Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept’ on March 1st, look for live photos and updates with AutoGuide’s 2011 Geneva Auto Show coverage here.

Toyota is planning to introduce a new lineup of budget-oriented sporty vehicles, but don’t get too excited. While it is possible that there’s a larger plan for the FT-86/FR-S and a rumors of a rear-drive hot-hatch, it’s more likely that Toyota is instead planning “sporty” versions of existing cars.

Earlier this year the Japanese auto giant released the “G Sports” or G’s” versions of its Voxy and Noah vans and it that may be the direction they’re headed with the rest of the lineup, including a confirmed sports edition version of the Prius.

“We want to offer more cars that are fun to drive and make people think ‘Toyota is interesting,’” said Toyota Vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada at a recent press event in Japan.

And while Toyota’s plans for a true performance-minded budget sports car lineup seem less likely than a new lineup of TRD-style models, Uchiyamada did confirm the GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept is headed to production as a spiritual successor of the MR2 – but with a high-tech hybrid powertrain.

[Source: Mainichi Daily News]

Get more FT-86/FR-S News at FT86Talk.com

It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything about Subaru‘s version of the Toyota FT-86/FR-S, but the engineers at Suby have been hard at work on the new model. A Subaru bodied version of the car (looking like a WRX Coupe) was recently spied doing hot weather testing in Death Valley.

The photos clearly show a hood scoop, suggesting a top-mount intercooler and turbocharged boxer engine. If that’s the case, we could look forward to a solid 265-hp from the more hard-core Subaru version of the Toyobaru. Previous reports have suggested the car will be rear-wheel drive only, although AutoExpress is suggesting an AWD setup will be included. We’re inclined to believe that is possible, as the car is based on the AWD Legacy platform.

Toyota is on track to launch its version of the FT-86 (believed to get the FR-S badge in production forum), in November of 2011, so expect to Subaru model to debut shortly thereafter.

Hit the link below for more pics.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Get more FT-86/FR-S News and Info at FT-86Talk.com

The biggest question surrounding Toyota‘s awesome FT-86 concept isn’t if the car will make it to production, but what it will be called. That mystery may have just been solved, with word that Toyota Motor Corporation has just filed a trademark for the “FR-S” name in both the U.S. and Canada.

The name certainly makes a lot of sense, with “FR” standing for front-engine, rear-wheel drive, while the “S” presumably being used to indicate that this is in fact a sports car. Like the FT-86 Concept’s name, it’s also a throwback to the Corolla AE-86 that inspired it.

Get more info on the FT-86 (or should we say FR-S) at FT-86Talk.com

GALLERY: Toyota FT-86 Concept

[Source: My.is]